Dying rawhide

[Nowicki]

I'm using a rawhide wrap on a knife. It's kind of light in color. I would like to dye it darker. I have a brown leather dye. Should I wrap the handle, let it dry then dye or soak in water with dye in it then wrap it and dry????????

Larry

 

[Wild Rose]

Howdy Larry-
I wet, wrap, and then dye (before it completely drys) when using leather dye. After it drys (I give it 24 hours) I buff off the film of dye on the surface (a clan dry cloth or a soft brush) then seal the rawhide with marine spar varnish - if not sealed it will suck up water over time and that will cause it to rot.
Here's a closup of a rawhide wrap I recently did (this is buffalo rawhide):

FYI - Cow rawhide is one of the hardest to work with - I much prefer buffalo, elk, deer, and goat in that order - all are normally available from www.hideandfur.com

 

[Nowicki]

Thanks for the info.
This is a pict after heat treat. I like the finish as is but the customer wants shiny finish.
http://www.nowickicustomknives.com/forumpicks/ElkStagBowie.jpg

Larry

 

[Mark Williams]

Here's a picture Larry sent to me. Lookin Good!

 

[Wild Rose]

The wrap looks good Larry as does the whole knife! (like you I would have preferred the not shiny look on the blade)

What did you use to seal the rawhide with?

 

[Nowicki]

I used epoxy. I hope it works well.